Best eSIM for Hong Kong and Macau 2026: One Plan or Two?

Last updated: October 30, 2026. All prices were checked on each provider's official website on October 30, 2026. BitJoy is our own store, and we label it wherever it appears in this comparison.

The best eSIM for Hong Kong and Macau depends on one question: does your plan cover both? Hong Kong and Macau are separate mobile markets with their own networks. Some Hong Kong eSIMs include Macau, many do not, and most providers sell them as two plans. For most travellers, the simplest answer is a Hong Kong eSIM for the main part of the trip plus a small Macau plan, or a single regional plan if mainland China is on your route too.

This guide compares Hong Kong eSIM and Macau eSIM prices from six providers, explains when you need one plan or two, and covers the networks, apps, local rules and troubleshooting tips for crossing between the two cities.

Quick Answer: Best eSIM for Hong Kong and Macau

Does a Hong Kong eSIM Work in Macau?

Only if the plan lists Macau. Hong Kong uses networks such as csl, SmarTone, 3HK and China Mobile Hong Kong, while Macau has its own networks, including CTM and 3 Macau. When you cross the bridge or take the ferry, your phone has to roam onto a Macau network, and a Hong Kong-only plan will usually stop working.

• Check the coverage list on the product page. If it says "Hong Kong (China)" only, it will not work in Macau.
• BitJoy's Hong Kong plans cover Hong Kong only. BitJoy's Macau plans cover Macau only. The China + Hong Kong + Macau plan covers all three.
• Holafly states its Hong Kong eSIM is designed for Hong Kong only, and Nomad recommends separate Hong Kong and Macau plans or a regional Asia plan.

One Plan or Two? Choose by Itinerary

Two eSIMs can be installed on the same phone. Switch the active data line when you cross the border.

Hong Kong and Macau eSIM Comparison (Prices Checked October 30, 2026)

Macau prices vary the most. Some providers charge several times more for Macau than for Hong Kong, so always check the Macau price before you commit.

How We Compared

For each provider we checked current Hong Kong and Macau prices on its own website on October 30, 2026, recorded the listed networks, hotspot rules and unlimited limits, and checked whether each Hong Kong plan also covers Macau. We have not published our own speed tests or a border-crossing test for this guide. BitJoy is our own store, and we point out where another provider fits better.

Best Hong Kong and Macau eSIM Providers Reviewed

1. BitJoy: Best Value for Hong Kong, Macau or Both

Hong Kong: csl 5G; 1GB / 7 days $3.49, 3GB / 30 days $6.49, 5GB / 30 days $8.49, 10GB / 30 days $11.99, 20GB / 30 days $18.49, daily plan $5.49 (2GB/day, then 1 Mbps). Macau: CTM and 3 5G; 1GB / 7 days $3.49, 5GB / 30 days $8.49, 10GB / 30 days $11.99, daily plan $4.49 (2GB/day). China + Hong Kong + Macau: 10GB / 30 days $18.99 on China Mobile, CMHK, CTM and 3.

BitJoy has separate low-cost plans for each city and a regional plan for trips that include mainland China. Hotspot is included, fixed plans have no speed reduction, and you can install up to 180 days ahead. Purchases are covered by a 5-day refund guarantee.

• Pros: lowest Macau price we found, two Macau networks, a three-region plan.
• Cons: Hong Kong plans cover Hong Kong only; data-only.
• Best for: most travellers, especially anyone going on to mainland China.

2. Ubigi

Hong Kong 10GB / 30 days for $14 on SmarTone, and Macau 10GB / 30 days for $16 on China Telecom. Data sharing is allowed.

• Pros: fair prices in both cities.
• Cons: one network per city; no unlimited plans listed.
• Best for: existing Ubigi users.

3. Nomad

Hong Kong 10GB / 30 days for $16 on CMHK, csl and 1O1O, plus unlimited plans of up to 10 days. Its Macau page was unavailable when we checked, and Nomad recommends separate plans or a regional plan for Macau.

• Pros: several Hong Kong networks.
• Cons: no clear Macau option at the time of checking.
• Best for: Hong Kong-only trips.

4. Yesim

Hong Kong 10GB / 30 days for $19.20, but Macau 10GB / 30 days for $54 and 30 days of unlimited for $106.80.

• Pros: reasonable Hong Kong price.
• Cons: very expensive in Macau.
• Best for: Hong Kong-only trips by Yesim users.

5. Airalo

Unlimited plans only on the pages we checked: Hong Kong $12.50 for 3 days, $26.50 for 7 days, $71 for 30 days (HKT); Macau $11.50 for 3 days, $27 for 7 days, $72.50 for 30 days (Hutchison).

• Pros: plans for both cities.
• Cons: expensive for longer stays; no combined plan listed.
• Best for: short, heavy-use trips.

6. Holafly

Unlimited only: Hong Kong $27.90 for 7 days and $73.90 for 30 days; Macau $27.50 for 7 days and $76.50 for 30 days on CTM. Hotspot is capped at 1GB per day, and the Hong Kong plan is for Hong Kong only.

• Pros: simple unlimited plans.
• Cons: most expensive; hotspot cap; two plans needed for both cities.
• Best for: heavy phone-only users on short trips.

What to Check Before Buying a Hong Kong eSIM

1. Networks: which local networks the plan uses. More than one network means fewer dead spots outside cities.
2. Data and validity: match the data to your trip length. A 30-day plan gives you room if your dates change.
3. When the plan starts: at purchase, at installation or at first connection in the country. Plans that start on arrival let you buy early.
4. Hotspot: whether you can share data with a laptop, tablet or travel partner, and whether there is a daily hotspot cap.
5. Unlimited rules: daily high-speed limits, the speed after the limit, and fair-use terms.
6. Phone number: most travel eSIMs are data-only. Decide upfront if you need local calls or SMS.
7. Top-ups and support: how easily you can add data, and how to reach support if the eSIM does not connect.
8. Refunds: what happens if your trip is cancelled before you install the eSIM.

For Hong Kong and Macau, the key check is the coverage list: confirm whether Macau, and mainland China if relevant, is included before you buy.

Is my phone compatible?

Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later support eSIM, but some regional models do not. Dialling *#06# shows an EID number if your phone supports eSIM. If your phone is locked to your home carrier, ask them to unlock it before you travel.

Hong Kong and Macau Mobile Networks

Hong Kong: csl, SmarTone, 3HK and CMHK

Hong Kong has dense 4G and 5G coverage across the city, the MTR and the main outlying islands. csl (part of HKT), SmarTone, 3HK and China Mobile Hong Kong all perform well in urban areas. Coverage can dip on hiking trails in country parks and on remote parts of Lantau, so download offline maps before a hike.

Macau: CTM, 3 Macau and China Telecom Macau

Macau is small, and coverage is strong across the peninsula, Taipa and Cotai, including in the casino resorts. CTM is the largest operator. BitJoy's Macau plans can use CTM and 3.

Do You Need a VPN? Google, WhatsApp and Apps

No. Hong Kong and Macau are outside mainland China's internet restrictions, so Google, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook work normally on a Hong Kong or Macau eSIM, without a VPN.

Mainland China is different. If you continue to Shenzhen or Guangzhou, read our guide to internet in China for tourists. BitJoy's China plans route data through Hong Kong, which is the setup most travellers look for when they want these apps to keep working.

How Much Data Do You Need in Hong Kong and Macau?

Getting Between Hong Kong and Macau

• Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge buses: the bridge crossing takes about 45-50 minutes, and the whole trip with border checks is around two hours door to door.
• Ferries: TurboJET and other ferries from Sheung Wan to Macau's Outer Harbour take about an hour.

Either way you cross a border, and your phone will switch networks. Before you leave, make sure the plan for your next stop is installed, then switch your active data line after you clear immigration.

Day Trips to Shenzhen

Shenzhen is under an hour from central Hong Kong by MTR to the Lo Wu or Lok Ma Chau border crossings, or by high-speed train from West Kowloon. Once you cross, you are on mainland Chinese networks and a Hong Kong-only eSIM will stop working. Google, WhatsApp and Instagram are also blocked on mainland networks unless your data is routed outside the mainland. For a day trip, the simplest option is a plan that covers mainland China, such as BitJoy's China + Hong Kong + Macau plan, so you do not need to switch eSIMs at each border.

Local Rules: Real-Name SIM Registration

• Hong Kong: since February 24, 2023, every SIM card issued by a Hong Kong operator must be registered with the user's ID, including prepaid tourist SIMs.
• Macau: under Macau's cybersecurity law, prepaid SIMs must be registered with real-name details, and tourists register with a passport.

An international travel eSIM is bought and installed before your trip, so there is no counter visit on arrival. Identity checks for travel eSIMs vary by provider; BitJoy plans are bought online with an email address. If you prefer a local SIM, see our Hong Kong SIM card guide.

Arrival Kit: Apps and Tips

• Octopus card: iPhone users can add an Octopus to Apple Wallet with the Octopus App for Tourists and a Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay card, for the MTR, buses, ferries and many shops.
• Maps: Google Maps and Citymapper work well in Hong Kong. Download offline maps for Macau and for hikes.
• Rides: Uber operates in Hong Kong. Keep your hotel address saved in Chinese for taxi drivers.
• Bank codes: keep your home SIM active in dual-SIM mode so you still receive SMS codes.

How to Set Up Your Hong Kong and Macau eSIMs

On iPhone

1. Settings, then Cellular (Mobile Data), then Add eSIM, and scan each QR code.
2. Label the lines clearly, for example "HK data" and "Macau data".
3. In Hong Kong, select the HK line for cellular data and turn on its Data Roaming.
4. After crossing to Macau, switch cellular data to the Macau line and turn on its Data Roaming.

On Android

1. Settings, then Network & internet (or Connections), then SIMs, then Add eSIM, and scan each QR code.
2. Choose the right eSIM for mobile data in each city and turn on Roaming for it.

Troubleshooting: eSIM Not Working in Hong Kong or Macau?

• No signal after the ferry or bridge: your data line is probably still set to the Hong Kong plan. Switch mobile data to the Macau line and turn on its roaming.
• "No Service" on arrival: check the line is on, Data Roaming is on, then toggle Airplane Mode.
• Connected but no internet: check the APN against your setup email and restart.
• Home bill charges: turn off data roaming on your home SIM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Hong Kong eSIM work in Macau?

Only if the plan lists Macau. BitJoy's Hong Kong plans cover Hong Kong only, so add a Macau plan or choose the China + Hong Kong + Macau plan.

Do I need a separate eSIM for Macau?

Usually yes, unless your plan lists both. A 1GB Macau plan ($3.49) is enough for a day trip.

What is the best eSIM for Hong Kong?

For most travellers, BitJoy Hong Kong 10GB for 30 days ($11.99) on csl 5G, with hotspot.

Which network is best in Hong Kong?

csl, SmarTone, 3HK and CMHK all work well in the city. Coverage differences show up mainly on hiking trails and outlying islands.

How much data do I need per day in Hong Kong?

About 300-700MB for maps, messaging and photos; 1-2GB if you stream video.

Do I need a VPN in Hong Kong or Macau?

No. Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work normally in both.

Does a Hong Kong eSIM work in Shenzhen?

Not a Hong Kong-only plan. Use a plan that lists mainland China, such as BitJoy's China + Hong Kong + Macau plan.

Do I need ID for a Hong Kong SIM?

Yes for a SIM issued by a Hong Kong operator, under real-name registration. A travel eSIM bought online works differently; checks depend on the provider.

When does my eSIM plan start?

Most BitJoy plans start when you begin using them at your destination, and can be installed up to 180 days ahead.

Can I use hotspot?

Yes with BitJoy, Ubigi and Nomad. Holafly caps hotspot at 1GB per day.

Is an eSIM better than a pocket WiFi in Hong Kong?

For most travellers, yes: no device to carry or return, and each person has their own data. Pocket WiFi suits groups that stay together.

Does the eSIM include a phone number?

Travel eSIMs are usually data-only. WhatsApp and iMessage keep your normal number.

Bottom Line

Plan for two mobile markets, not one. Choose a Hong Kong eSIM, add a Macau eSIM, or pick a regional plan if mainland China is on your route, and install everything before you fly.